Rutte is the new NATO Secretary General, takes office on October 1

(Patria) - The North Atlantic Council today decided to appoint Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte as the next NATO Secretary General, succeeding Jens Stoltenberg.

Rutte will assume the role of Secretary General on October 1, 2024, when Stoltenberg's term ends after ten years at the helm of the Alliance.

Rutte's selection was confirmed by ambassadors of the 32 NATO member countries at a meeting of the North Atlantic Council.

The path for Rutte was cleared last week following the withdrawal of the candidacy of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.

Rutte will lead the Alliance in a world full of political uncertainty on both sides of the Atlantic and with Ukraine at war.

In addition to the conflict in Ukraine, he could also face a new term for Donald Trump if the American billionaire, highly critical of NATO's role, returns to the White House after the November elections.